Tourism Promotion Authority Joins Government Agencies Involved in World Indigenous Business Forum Planned for October 2023

Port Moresby, PAPUA NEW GUINEA (3 March 2023) – Papua New Guinea’s preparations for the 2023 World Indigenous Business Forum – to be staged in October at the APEC Haus, began with the announcement of over a dozen government agencies joining the organizing steering committee in early March. 

Hon. Richard Maru and Hon. Kessy Sawang, Minister and Vice-Minister respectively for the Ministry of Trade and Investment, made the upcoming forum’s preparatory announcement at a press conference at the Hilton Hotel.

Both Ministers acknowledged the PNG Tourism Promotion Authority (TPA) for accepting their Ministry’s invitation to join the organizing steering committee. During the conference they emphasized TPA’s expected contribution to the World Indigenous Business Forum, which includes support for destination marketing and promotion, especially the production of videos highlighting Papua New Guinea as a unique travel and tourism destination, and also developing tour packages for visiting forum participants from around the world. 

Representing TPA on the organizing steering committee for the World Indigenous Business Forum, will be Ms. Alice Kuaningi, director of marketing, research and promotions.  Ms. Kuaningi and the TPA marketing division, have a great deal of experience with supporting world class events hosted in Papua New Guinea, especially the APEC 2018, FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, 2015 Pacific Games, 2014 Melanesian Festival of Arts and Culture, and more.      

TPA chief executive officer Mr. Eric Uvovo expressed his overwhelming support towards the Ministry of Trade and Investment.

The World Indigenous Business Forum is a wonderful occasion to showcase Papua New Guinea as an incredible travel destination.  Our tourism sector also has a large network of local tourism businesses who contribute to our economy, and we are looking forward to encouraging their presence at this very important forum”

“I would like to thank the Ministry of Trade and Investment, the Marape-Rosso Government and the National Executive Council for nominating the PNG Tourism Promotion Authority to be an integral part of the planning towards the World Indigenous Business Forum.  I am confident that my team will perform exceptionally to help the Government of Papua New Guinea deliver this world class event,” Mr. Uvovo said. 

The World Indigenous Business Forum is an annual event established by the Indigenous Leadership Development Institute of Canada.  The Forum has been staged throughout various parts of the world since 2011, and has amassed a global community of indigenous people who are focused on inspiring, mobilizing and supporting organizations and entrepreneurs in the sustainable development of indigenous businesses and communities across the globe. Visit the World Indigenous Business Forum website: www.wibf.ca

Press Conference Wibf Tpa Ministry Trade Investment 2023 3 C

For further information, email acting public relations coordinator, Ms. Pauline Riman: pauline.riman@papuanewguinea.travel / Ph: +675 3200211

MSC Poesia's Maiden Call to Papua New Guinea 

Alotau, PAPUA NEW GUINEA (5 March 2023) – Papua New Guinea warmly welcomes MSC Cruises with the maiden call of one of its stunning cruise liner vessels – the MSC Poesia.

The MSC Poesia will first grace the shores of Milne Bay Province, visiting two ports of call in Alotau and Kiriwina, then cruising onward to Rabaul in East New Britain. 

“We bid a warm Papua New Guinea welcome to the passengers and crew of the MSC Poesia, one of the first ships from the well-known MSC Cruises company to visit our country,” said CEO of the PNG Tourism Promotion Authority, Mr. Eric Uvovo.     

“Cruise tourism has huge potential benefits for the country, and the PNG TPA is committed to supporting the tourism industry in maritime provinces develop their cruise tourism products and infrastructure”

“Developing cruise tourism requires a whole of government approach, most important of all, it needs a provincial government working together with its local tourism businesses to develop a conducive environment for cruise ships and the tourists they bring,” Mr. Uvovo further stated.   

An official welcome party by the Milne Bay Provincial Government, the local tourism industry and government agencies cordially greeted the cruise ship’s management, exchanging gifts and putting on a cultural performance. 

MSC Poesia comes from a modern fleet of cruise vessels by MSC Cruises – the world’s third largest cruise brand.   MSC Cruises is a subdivision of MSC Group, a Swiss-based shipping and logistics corporation spanning over three centuries of maritime operations.   

A spectacular vessel, the MSC Poesia is a 293.8 meter long and 59.64 high ship, carrying over 3,000 passengers serviced by a crew of 900 plus.  The cruise ship has 16 decks, including three swimming pools, tennis and basketball courts, a Zen Garden and more.  Most impressive of all is the ships environmental technology, which has an energy saving and monitoring system that includes an onboard wastewater treatment plant. 

Papua New Guinea will also be fortunate enough to welcome MSC Magnifica – another elegant cruise ship vessel from MSC Cruises.  MSC Magnifica arrives in Alotau on the 26th of March. 

Above image:  MSC Poesia in Alotau, Milne Bay Province, 2023. 

For further information email acting public relations coordinator, Ms. Pauline Riman: pauline.riman@papuanewguinea.travel 

Regional Tourism Consultations Begin on National Tourism Policy, Marketing Strategy

Port Moresby, PAPUA NEW GUINEA (13 February 2023)The Papua New Guinea (PNG) Tourism Promotion Authority (TPA) has commenced a series of regional consultations on the development of a new PNG National Tourism Policy and Marketing Strategy.

The TPA, in partnership with the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative (PSDI), will travel across PNG from 9-28 February 2023 to speak with tourism industry stakeholders as part of its National Tourism Policy 1995 review.

The regional consultations will cover PNG’s four regions—New Guinea Islands (Kokopo), Momase (Madang), Highlands (Mt Hagen) and Southern (Port Moresby).

The first consultations, held on 9-10 February in Kokopo, were attended by the region’s tourism industry stakeholders, operators, guides, event organizers and provincial tourism offices.

Attendees discussed PNG tourism policy reform issues, priorities, and options; the policy development process; future opportunities for New Guinea Islands’ tourism industry; and the role of the TPA in enabling, marketing, and coordinating the tourism sector. 

PNG TPA Chief Executive Officer Eric Mossman Uvovo said consultations on the new National Tourism Policy and Marketing Strategy were critical, and would inform subsequent legislative amendments to the PNG Tourism Promotion Authority Act 1993.

“Since the establishment of PNG’s National Tourism Policy 1995 and Destination Marketing Strategy 2018-2022, a lot has changed,” Mr. Mossman Uvovo said.

“The tourism industry is primarily driven by the private sector, so these consultations are important to ensure the new policy helps PNG to develop tourism sustainably, maximise its resources, and position itself as a potential lead Pacific tourism destination.”

Alongside these private sector consultations, PSDI held interviews with multiple PNG government departments and agencies to gauge views on the policy and potential avenues of reform.

PSDI is an ADB technical assistance program undertaken in partnership with the Governments of Australia and New Zealand. PSDI supports ADB’s 14 Pacific developing member countries to improve the enabling environment for business and to achieve inclusive, private sector-led economic growth.

It is supporting the TPA to rebuild the PNG tourism sector following COVID-19, and to undertake longer-term tourism sustainability and resilience planning.

The new PNG National Tourism Policy is scheduled for completion by April 2023.

The PNG TPA is a statutory body funded by the Government of PNG. The ultimate goal of the TPA is to market and promote PNG to the world as a desirable travel destination.  

Above Image: 2023 Regional Tourism Consultation Workshop participants made up of the New Guinea Islands tourism industry and the PNG Tourism Promotion Authority. 

For more information, please contact: policy@papuanewguinea.travel

PNGTPA CEO EXPRESSES DISAPPOINTMENT OVER INCIDENT REPORTED BY POST-COURIER

Chief Executive Officer of the PNG Tourism Promotion Authority, Eric Mossman Uvovo, has expressed his utmost disappointment regarding the incident that occurred in Kavieng, New Ireland province, reported on the Post Courier on Friday 13th of January. “Kavieng is amongst the top tourist destinations in PNG, it is known for its beauty, friendly people, and safe environment. I am truly devastated to hear that our visitors to PNG have been hurt physically and psychologically by this traumatic experience.”

CEO Uvovo also expressed his disappointment with how the story had been reported, stating that a number of statements in the original newspaper article were incorrect. “I can not stress enough the significance of fact-checking such sensitive stories by journalists before publishing damaging headlines that add volume to the country’s negative perception. PNGTPA spends millions of public funds every year to market and promotes PNG as a tourist destination in the Pacific, yet all it takes is one headline without conducting your due diligence on the facts surrounding incidents, which set us ten steps back in our efforts. With saying this, I do appreciate and understand that there are other social issues that contribute to such crimes, however, I appeal to the media fraternity, to be mindful, that damage of this magnitude has long-term effects on economic sectors such as tourism where our land, people and environment are the assets we sell to the global market.

CEO Uvovo, speaking on behalf of the victim, strongly condemn the leak of the photograph used for the front-page article stating that this photo was taken for evidence collection and to aid the investigation, not to be publicly circulated via print and social media. “I have personally met with the victim of this heinous crime who is still visibly distressed. She will be seeking legal advice for the gross violation of privacy by those present at the crime scene for leaking the image.” CEO Uvovo stated that the victim will have the full support of the Authority to seek legal action where possible, stating that “click-bait or sensationalized stories need to be properly vetted, details and facts checked. I appeal to all journalists, to do your due diligence checks, you possess a power that can make or break a destination for tourism, be very mindful of that.”

In closing CEO Uvovo stressed “I appeal to the government and line agencies responsible, please invest in the youth bulge of PNG. PNG has an increasingly large youth population. When we can not create incubation programs or make alternative technical/vocational options available, we end up with a significant population of youth who turn to drugs and alcohol, resulting in criminal activities. Create opportunities for young people, create jobs for our youth and this will help to mitigate the rising crime rates all across the country”.

For more information, email info@papuanewguinea.travel 

Safe Traveler PNG Guidelines Coordination

The emergence of the Novel Corona Virus (COVID-19) in late 2019 and later declared as a global pandemic in March 2020 has shifted the economic landscape of the world. Notably, the tourism and transport sector have been the hardest hit economic sectors amongst others.

Since the elevated risk of novel corona virus, the global tourism industry has experienced drastic economic impacts with travel coming to a standstill, therefore it is imperative that we navigate the unparalleled social and economic emergency that is COVID-19.

The Safe Traveler PNG Guidelines Program is an initiative of the Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority (PNGTPA) developed in December 2020 with the endorsement of the PNGTPA management and board, National Controller’s Office and the National Department of Health.

The program focuses on the ‘Niupela Pasin’ or simply reiterating the Covid19 health and safety protocols in the tourism industry. The operators are to follow the Covid19 protocols in order to maintain a clean, healthy and safe business for their guests and employees.

Following the passing of the National Pandemic Act 2020 and the new measures publicly circulated by the SOE Controller of PNG, PNGTPA has a responsibility to ensure tourism industry members are;

  1. Well equipped with knowledge on Covid19 and the necessary process for response, and
  2. Meet basic hygiene and cleaning requirements

These guidelines are our way of ensuring implementation of this Act within the tourism and hospitality sector.

The following Seven Guidelines have been created for:

  • The Traveler
    Accommodation (integrate into
  • Accommodation Accreditation Program)
  • Operators with facilities
  • Operators without facilities
  • Cruise Shore Excursion Operators
  • Tourist Attractions and Events
  • Host Communities and villages

Aim of the program:

  • Culmination of the Niupela Pasin and global best practices
  • Safe Tourism protocols that ensure health and safety standards specific to the tourism industry of PNG
  • Ensure a level of safety and awareness in the tourism industry of PNG – consumer confidence in the new normal
  • The Guidelines aim to protect – the Traveler, the Business, the Workforce and the Host Communities
  • Stamp of certification for tourist to recognize tourism destinations and business operators that have adopted health and safety protocols in their operation
  • The Guidelines are subject to change pending directives from SOE Controller’s office and/or Department of Health

Following the endorsement of the program, awareness campaigns were delivered in mid-2021 to East New Britain, Autonomous Region of Bougainville, West Sepik and the National Capital District. These visits focused on the objectives of the program to encourage membership. Membership to the program is free hence tourism operators are welcome to join the program at any time.

Image: PNGTPA Policy & Planning officer Mary Kanawi (back far left) and tourism workshop participants in Sandaun Province. 

For further information, email: policy@papuanewguinea.travel 

PNG TOURISM PROMOTION AUTHORITY HOSTS THE FIRST TOURISM SECTOR DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022-2026 IMPLEMENTATION STEERING COMMITTEE (TSDP-ISC) MEETING, 29TH JUNE 2022, PORT MORESBY 

The Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority hosted its first Implementation Steering Committee Meeting for the recently launched Tourism Sector Development Plan 2022-2026 on the 29th June 2022, at the Lamana Hotel in Port Moresby.

The Chief Executive Officer Mr. Eric Mossman Uvovo, chaired the inaugural meeting in the presence of 16 organisation representatives to deliberate on the purpose, functions and reporting mechanisms of the TSDP-ISC.

The Implementation Steering Committee (ISC) is the highest working committee that is designed to coordinate all tourism related agendas pursued under the various sub working committees that exist within the sector for national prioritization and development in Papua New Guinea.

The CEO provided his welcome remarks and invited organisations to become members of the ISC to help contribute to the implementation of the TSDP and to grow the industry in the next five years amidst the global pandemic.

Some of the work that will need to be done under the ISC include;

  • The development of a National Tourism Standards and Regulatory Framework
  • The proper design of a pricing strategy for Tourism
  • The review of the cost of travel in the country
  • The active participation of land owners for tourism sites and attractions
  • Tourism Taxation Incentives
  • Access to finance for Tourism related purposes of development
  • Youth empowerment through tourism initiatives
  • International marketing re-strategizing for PNG Tourism
  • PNGTPA Brand awareness in country and abroad
  • Utilization of airline general sales agents overseas
  • Strong partnership with PNG Kundu offices for destination and investment awareness
  • Strong tourism investment incentives and so forth.

Mr. Uvovo further stated that through collaboration at the TSDP-ISC level, this will enable PNGTPA as the lead sector agency to steer the development of the national tourism industry products and services to a level that is globally and regionally competitive.

The ISC plans to meet quarterly and envisions more organisations to join in the membership to provide sound advice and judgement for all tourism related matters that are escalated at the high level.

All provincial governments have been urged by the CEO to take ownership of the new tourism plan by participating in the ISC in order to ensure that the national plan cascades down to the provincial level through the setup of provincial ISCs as well. The Provincial-ISCs will be utilised to inform the national TSDP ISC as a reporting mechanism for all tourism initiatives and issues encountered in the provinces.

The CEO also stated that stakeholder partnerships with the private sector will also be prioritised to ensure that plan achieves its full potential.

PNGTPA has extended invitation to all other government agencies and private sector stakeholders who would like to be a part of the committee to express their interests to the PNGTPA Division of Policy and Planning for consideration and partnership. 

Image: Official launching of the Papua New Guinea Tourism Sector Development Plan 2022-2026.  Official guest of honor Prime Minister Hon. James Marape, MP. 

For further information, email: policy@papuanewguinea.travel  

Digitalizing our Tourism Industry

By Pauline Riman 

There is no denying that the global travel and tourism industry has grown exponentially over the past two decades. 

E-commerce and Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) have been the biggest driving force of online travel bookings since 2018.  Conversion to payments complete the final step of the sales funnel through online payment gateways, and the results of this successful process can be seen from the statistics of the Global Online Travel Market Report with OTA’s generating over 800 billion US dollars in global travel spend in 2021 [i]

The big names in our Papua New Guinea tourism industry like Air Niugini, the Coral Sea Hotels and Kumul IHG, as well as a handful of tour operators – are making it much easier for travel to and within Papua New Guinea with the incorporation of successful online booking and payment systems.   

However, the biggest challenge for the industry is how to get SME tourism businesses to also use and benefit from e-commerce, as well as market and promote their products and services online – especially local accommodation providers and tour operators. 

Continuous engagement with the industry has revealed to the PNG Tourism Promotion Authority (PNGTPA) the impediments facing tourism businesses and agencies. Many of the issues shared by the industry are rooted in inadequate utility services in their areas of operation, especially electrical and ICT infrastructure that stifle the digital progress of our tourism sector.  This is obvious for tourism businesses and agencies who operate in rural locations, where many of our nation’s well-known tourism attractions are found.  

Through the Tourism Sector Development Plan 2022-2026 (TSDP), the PNGTPA is committed to working with relevant government authorities and stakeholders to enhance and improve the tourism sector in Papua New Guinea.  One of the key strategies of the TSDP is: “Positioning the Tourism Industry as one of the Strategic Drivers of PNG’s Sustainable Economic Growth, where the Government of PNG and the private sector invest in enabling infrastructure, utilities and security with safety to solidly ground tourism as the mainstay for PNG beyond the minerals boom” [ii].

The TSDP identifies seven (7) subsectors in our national Tourism Sector – two (2) of these subsectors directly reference the development of ICT infrastructure in Papua New Guinea to benefit our tourism industry.  These two subsectors are the: Provider & Supplier Subsector and the Critical Enablers Subsector.

Key stakeholders the PNGTPA will be partnering with to implement projects focused on improving our tourism industry’s e-commerce and ICT experience are the Department of Information Communication Technology (DICT) and its support agency NICTA, as well as national and corporate financial institutions like the Bank of Papua New Guinea, BSP Limited, Kina Bank and others. 

Digital transformation is high on the PNG Government’s agenda, and with the creation of the Digital Government Act (2022), spearheaded by the DICT and NICTA, the journey to improving ICT in Papua New Guinea has become somewhat smoother.  Albeit the focus of the Act predominantly serves the digital transformation of government agencies, the PNGTPA identifies provincial tourism offices, bureaus and authorities as beneficiaries of the Act, and therefore key agents in tourism product development, as a result supporting their digital transformation is a necessary measure.  Provincial tourism agencies require tourism product databases that will feed the planned national database – of which the PNGTPA will have access to better serve and guide its mandate of marketing and promoting PNG as a desirable travel destination.  

Digitalization of tourism in PNG is a necessary state the PNGTPA is striving to achieve for the industry it serves and can only be realized through a holistic approach.   The digitalization process has already begun in PNG, although extremely limited to the bigger players in the tourism sector, the PNGTPA is forging a way forward to strengthen and enable the nation’s tourism subsectors, especially local tourism SME’s and provincial tourism offices.  The PNG tourism industry is ready for digitalization, but it needs a coordinated effort led by the PNGTPA and its partners to be fully realized.

For further information, contact the PNGTPA digital marketing team: marketing@papuanewguinea.travel 

[i] Global Online Travel Market Report 2022-2027
[ii] Tourism Sector Development Plan 2022-2026 

Tourism Promotion Authority Announces Appointment of New Board Members 

ON Wednesday 31st August, 2022, new board members were welcomed at a swearing in ceremony at the Tourism Promotion Authority (PNGTPA) office, Down Town, Port Moresby.  

Magistrate Sandy Tiakin facilitated the legal oaths and affirmations of the ceremony, wherein the new members swore to uphold their awarded roles and duties, while upholding the mission and values of the PNGTPA.

Joining the PNGTPA Board are key industry heads: Mr. Andrew Abel, Mrs Keryn Hargreaves, Mr. Michael Cassell, Mr. Willie Gagma, Captain Andui Koralyo, Mr. John Pung and Mr. Dominic Ira.

The new board members represent Papua New Guinea’s tourism sector, including the airlines, tour operators, attractions, hotelier industry, as well as government and financial institutions.

Also present at the new board members swearing-in were PNGTPA’s CEO Mr. Eric Mossman Uvovo and senior management: Director Corporate Affairs Ms. Abuti Kevin, Director Policy & Planning Ms. Ingrid Kuman and Director Marketing Research & Promotions Ms. Alice Kuaningi.  

For further information, contact the PNG Tourism Promotion Authority, Office of the CEO: cleopatra.aramanat@papuanewguinea.travel   

Papua New Guinea Tourism Board Members 2

Image (L-R): Michael Cassell, Hon. Kennedy Wenge, Willie Gagma, Hon. Isi Leonard, Magistrate Sandy Tiakin, Eric Mossman Uvovo, Keryn Hargreaves, John Pung, Captain Andui Koralyo and Abuti Kevin. 

Tourism Update: Papua New Guinea Tourism Since the Borders Officially Opening 

Papua New Guinea officially opened its borders to international visitors on the 1st July 2022, and visitor arrivals from January to August 2022 show that the country has received 37,537 visitors – 2,182 of these visitors were here on holiday. 

Obtaining a tourist visa remains a challenge for bona fide tourists as the 60-day tourist visa on arrival is no longer available.  The PNG Tourism Promotion Authority (PNGTPA) will be working closely with the PNG Immigration and Citizenship Authority to reinstate the tourist visa-on-arrival facility to encourage international travellers to visit Papua New Guinea.  Meanwhile, tour operators and agents must continue to comply with PNGICA requirements and apply online for their client’s tourist visas using the Immigration Authority’s website portal

All COVID-19 travel restrictions have been lifted by the Government since 5th October 2022, the most recent being the vaccine test entry requirement for travelers, and the wearing of masks inside airports.

PNGTPA is aware that COVID-19 has become endemic – meaning the world is learning to live with the disease.  Therefore, through the Safe Traveller PNG awareness program, the PNGTPA continues to advocate for the health and safety of the members of PNG’s tourism industry and visitors in the country.  Industry members volunteer to participate in the program by undergoing training, and are then certified and promoted through the PNGTPA website as a Safe Traveller PNG business that is equipped to provide a safe and healthy environment for their guests and clients. 

Since the lifting of the COVID-19 restrictions across the country, tourism in the country is slowly being revitalized, especially with the return of iconic national events like the Hagen Show, Frangipani Festival, Goroka Show and the recent Morobe Show in Lae.  These events have not only brought back international travellers to the country, but refocused a great deal of marketing and promotions towards PNG’s domestic market.

For Morobe Tourism in particular, especially the recent 59th Morobe Show, hundreds and thousands of people attended the two-day event hosted at the Lae Showgrounds.  Papua New Guinean show-goers came from the Highlands region, as well as from the Madang and Northern Provinces to attend, what is now becoming the nation’s biggest show with a strong focus on agritourism.   Morobe Show is one of the most well-run, self-sustaining events in Papua New Guinea, hosted by the Morobe Agricultural Society – a successful case study for all events and festivals in Papua New Guinea. 

Despite the Morobe Show’s success, there are many challenges ahead for tourism in the Morobe Province.  Developments of attractions and products in Lae and the wider and remote Morobe Province are key areas the PNGTPA wish to assist the province with.  However, the issue of a functioning provincial tourism office is vital in the bridging this assistance at a national level for tourism development in Morobe. The PNGTPA will be revisiting an MOU signed in 2018 by the Morobe Provincial Government and the Ministry of Tourism Arts and Culture.  

In March this year, PNGTPA visited the districts of Nawae and Finschaffen to meet tourism product owners and service providers.  The team also carried out marketing awareness and delivered guest lectures to the students of the Poly Technical College in Lae. 

PNGTPA continues to market and promote Morobe as a travel destination in Papua New Guinea through its website: www.papuanewguinea.travel, particularly events like the Morobe Show, accommodation providers in Lae, as well as local tour operators like LaeAbout Tours and Fuzzy Wuzzy Expeditions

Morobe Attractions will be a significant part of PNGTPA’s online marketing and promotions next year, working with the Morobe Provincial Government will be a vital and necessary step in showcasing the best of one of PNG’s most vibrant industrial hubs. 

Papua New Guinea Morobe Show Rodeo Event 2

Image: Competitors at the Morobe Show rodeo style event. Lae city, Morobe Province. 

For further information email PNGTPA director marketing Ms. Alice Kuaningi: marketing@papuanewguinea.travel

PROUDLY PROMOTING PAPUA NEW GUINEA TOURISM IN THE UNITED KINGDOM 

The Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority (PNGTPA) is one of the proud sponsors of the Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) and the PNG LNG Kumuls team, contesting at the 2022 Rugby League World Cup in England.

Mr. Eric Mossman Uvovo, PNGTPA chief executive officer, announced the sponsorship as creating a new pathway in Sports Tourism, which explores a different angle of destination marketing and awareness through local and international sporting events.

The sponsored partnership with the PNGRFL offers PNGTPA an incredible opportunity to carry out promotion and awareness of Papua New Guinea as a travel destination at one of the world’s most prestigious sporting events in the United Kingdom (UK) – the Rugby League World Cup (RLWC).

The UK is also an important travel source market for tourism in Papua New Guinea (PNG).  The PNGTPA is utilising the opportunity at the RLWC to promote PNG as a travel destination worthy of its ‘A Million Different Journeys’ brand, all the while raising awareness that our country’s borders are now open, and that we are warmly welcoming travellers back into the country.  

Two PNGTPA marketing officers and a cultural tourism ambassador join the PNG LNG Kumuls during the team’s community engagements and pregame entertainments throughout the five-week long tournament in England.    

Simon Pih, PNGTPA marketing officer Australia & New Zealand / RLWC lead; Pamela Hoepel-Aupae, PNGTPA marketing officer North America and Europe; and Cedrick John, cultural ambassador have completed several media engagements. The team were interviewed by the Warrington Worldwide media crew, The Guardian newspaper and local radio station where they spoke passionately about the country.   

The PNGTPA team were similarly involved in public engagements at touristic sights and localities in England namely, Warrington, St. Helen, London, Liverpool, Manchester and Doncaster.

Warrington Market and the Two Brothers Café also invited the PNGTPA and PNG LNG Kumuls team for PNG Coffee Tasting and livestream on Saturday 22nd October, 2022. The Two Brother Coffee Shop will be selling PNG coffee throughout the RLWC and are happy to distribute destination marketing collaterals such as visitor maps, tourism product brochures, pamphlets and banners brought over by the PNGTPA team.

These and other events are opportunities presented to the PNGTPA by PNGRFL to participate together with PNG LNG Kumuls as side events.  As part of its mandate, the PNGTPA proudly promotes all Papua New Guinea products and services, this includes Accommodation, Tours, Travel & Leisure activities, Arts & Crafts, Food & Textile, Sports & MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and events).

The highlight of the PNGTPA and PNG LNG Kumuls community engagements was the school visits to Bradshaw Primary School and Sacred Heart Primary School in Warrington.

The PNGTPA officers were given an opportunity to briefly share about travel and tourism in Papua New Guinea, while the cultural ambassador briefly demonstrated the colorful Huli Mali dance of Hela Province

The School Principals and teaching staff were thrilled about the extra surprise by the Huli Wigman, commenting that this will have a lasting impact on an individual child’s life. The school visit presented the PNGTPA with a different angle to introduce the destination to a younger generation of future travellers.

The PNGTPA and PNG LNG Kumuls team will be visiting major cities and towns for more destination marketing engagements at public squares, photo opportunities and most importantly engaging with the public, while sharing wonderful stories and travel information about destination Papua New Guinea, the land of ‘A Million Different Journeys’.

Images: Cultural tourism ambassador Cedrick John in London and Warrington engaging with the local communities, alongside team members of the PNG LNG Kumuls and the PNG Tourism Promotion Authority. 

For more information about this partnership please contact Ms. Alice Kuaningi – Director Marketing Research & Statistics on email alice.kuaning@papuanewguinea.travel 

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